What
made you choose to study here?I
chose Oxford generally because I wanted to experience the tutorial system and
have access to lots of different opportunities and events, as well as live in a
city where there’s always something interesting happening. I chose St John’s
specifically because I really liked the location and the facilities, and found
the College very welcoming when I visited before applying.

Is
life here different from how you expected it to be?The
eight week terms definitely go a lot quicker than I thought they would, which
means that term time can be quite hectic because there’s so much going on!
There are a lot more opportunities to get involved with different projects and
sports, and while the workload is heavier than I had expected there’s still
plenty of time to catch up with friends at College events.

What do you like about studying at St
John’s?The
library and study spaces around College are really useful when essay deadlines
are looming – and there’s a lot of support, such as study skills sessions,
which can make the transition into university-level work much easier. The
tutors are also very understanding and approachable, and there are always
people in your subject group to talk to if work starts to feel overwhelming.

The
College community definitely makes a big academic community seem a lot more
personal, and College events such as bops (organised parties) and free food
brunches mean there are lots of opportunities to socialise and meet new people.
The communal areas in College such as the TV room and the College bar, as well
as the College sports teams, mean that it’s also easy to meet people with
similar interests or to pick up new hobbies.

Are there aspects of your degree you particularly like?The
fact that Theology is a smaller subject means that my class sizes are generally
quite small so we get to know the tutors and other students in the faculty
quite well. There’s also a lot of freedom in choosing modules and personalising
your degree to suit your interests, as well as opportunities to pick up
additional languages and develop skills which can lead to a wide range of
employment opportunities.

How do you like to spend your spare time?I
rehearse twice a week with Oxford University Contemporary Dance and have
recently taken on an Outreach position on the Oxford Theology Society
Committee, which keep me pretty busy. On the weekends, I like to explore the
city and the coffee shops around Oxford or watch films with my housemates.

What advice would you give someone looking to study at Oxford?I
think that an enthusiasm for your subject is essential – doing the reading and
writing for a weekly essay is definitely a lot easier if you find the topic interesting! Also being willing to have your views expanded and
challenged, as university is an opportunity to meet a wide variety of people,
broaden your understanding of different topics and get involved in campaigns or
projects which you feel passionate about.